Shirgao and Cudnem begin operations; total active leases now five, combined capacity hits 5.3 MT
PANAJI
Goa’s iron ore mining industry has received a major boost with two additional mineral blocks — Shirgao and Cudnem — resuming operations from the new mining season in October, taking the total number of active mining leases to five.
According to Director of Mines and Geology (DMG) Narayan Gad, operations have commenced at the Shirgao mineral block operated by M/s Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd, and the Cudnem Mineral Block (VI) managed by JSW Steel Limited.
The State has received Rs 400 crore incentive from the Union Mines Ministry for operationalising two mineral blocks in the current financial year.
The resumption adds to a growing list of functioning mines since the restart of mining activities in 2024. Vedanta Limited was the first to begin fresh extraction from its Bicholim mineral block in April 2024, followed by Fomento Resources at the Advalpal-Tivim block in December the same year. In May 2025, M/s Salgaocar Shipping Pvt Ltd began operations at the Shirgao-Mayem block, marking another milestone in the sector’s revival.
“The combined annual extraction capacity of these five operational mineral blocks stands at 5.3 million metric tonnes (MT),” Gad said, noting that the Supreme Court has capped total annual iron ore production in the State at 20 million tonnes.
Since 2023, the State government has e-auctioned 12 mineral blocks covering 24 mining leases, underlining its push for transparent and regulated mining.
Meanwhile, several auctioned blocks are yet to commence production. These include Cudnem-Cormolem, Surla-Sonshi, Tivim-Pirna, Kalay (Sanguem), Monte-de-Sirigao, Curpem-Sulcorna, Onda, and Codli mineral blocks.
